Eckerd College

Eckerd College sits on a 267-acre peninsula jutting into Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida, founded in 1958 as Florida Presbyterian College and renamed in 1972 after a major donation from Eckerd drugstore founder Jack M. Eckerd. This small private liberal arts school draws students who crave hands-on learning amid palm trees and Gulf breezes, thriving in a collaborative environment that prioritizes real-world experiences over rote memorization. You'll find a tight-knit community of about 2,000 undergraduates who bond over waterfront adventures and beachside chats, but the small size means fewer course options and a campus that feels isolated from bigger-city bustle.